We Need a Devin Gardner Appreciation Thread

Submitted by SC Wolverine on

This season has gone down the tubes, but the saddest thing I have seen was Devin Gardner putting his face on the turf after the fumble at Iowa and then his post-game press conference. The guy is hurting in his heart and Michigan fans need to step up and put a hand on his shoulder.  Sure, this season has fallen way short of our hopes and what many of us hoped would be a great season for Devin has instead turned into a massive learning experience.  But this is a terrific young man and Michigan fans need to step up and give him some love.  Our QB is really down -- probably the coaches are too -- and we need to pick him up with some appreciation.  So let's keep all snarkiness out of this thread and instead remember some of the great things about Devin.  If you have nothing good to say, then please say nothing.  But our team is really down right now and Devin is taking it hard.  Let's try to pick him up a bit.

Georgeous

November 24th, 2013 at 7:51 PM ^

Although I dont feel Devin fits the prototypical QB for Al's offensive scheme, I feel bad for him.  He gives it all for his team.  I cant help to feel his confidence is shattered at this point, and I hope we can get the DG from the ND game back for next year.

I heard Desmond Howard on an ESPN radio commerical for sports psychology services and I immediately thought of Devin and how he should be receiving some of this in the offseason to get his confidence back.

http://www.iaimtowin.com/

Does anyone know if the team utilizes anything like this to help with the mental part of the game?

Muttley

November 24th, 2013 at 11:06 PM ^

then, yes.

The DG we saw against ND wasn't injured and the opposing coordinator didn't have pregame film showing what a sieve the M O-Line is.

Devin made a number of quick reads that game that are surely not there anymore, as opposing coordinators know our weakness and can exploit it.

Princetonwolverine

November 24th, 2013 at 8:24 PM ^

Devin has given it 110%.

What bothers me about this interview is who thought it would be a good idea to make Devin face the press after the game ended the way it did.

Why further humiliate the guy?

 

akblue

November 24th, 2013 at 8:40 PM ^

This is the kind of adversity that builds character. Devin appears to have heart and an unmatched accountiability to his teammates.

He'll go far in life.

After we put a beat down on the Bucks, I expect him to have a phenominal season next year.

You Only Live Twice

November 24th, 2013 at 9:39 PM ^

DG is beat up, for sure, he is brave beyond brave, knowing he has a maybe a couple of seconds before getting sacked repeatedly.  He has displayed courage, brains and class.  Three things missing from people who criticize him. 

He is also young and has the benefit of that youthful resilience.  While i don't expect to see all his potential for OSU, given enough time to heal physically and with, hopefully, getting him an actual QB coach who can (gasp) develop him, he will be just fine for next year.

MGoBlue96

November 24th, 2013 at 11:17 PM ^

He is still raw in some respects, however the talent is clearly there. He showed it against ND (excluding that one bad play).

Definatly commend the guy for the heart and fight he has shown. Not fair to ask a guy in his first full year starting to be the entire offense, while getting hammered behind a horrible offensive line.

Hopefully if they go with a new offensive staff next year, he can develop and gain his confidence back. The potential to be a very good QB is there, he just needs to become more consistent. Some help from an actual running game, and better coaching would be beneficial.

BlueinLansing

November 24th, 2013 at 10:23 PM ^

but he's not a good QB even if he had a good oline.  He's slow to get the ball out of the snap, slow to read the defense, has terrible mechanics and makes terrible decisions.

Muttley

November 24th, 2013 at 11:13 PM ^

Since then, opposing coordinators have seen that our O-Line is a sieve.  If you were an opposing coordinator and saw Devin against ND and then saw Devin against MSU, you would take away how Devin burned ND.  There's just not much risk in doing it, as your DBs won't have to cover for long.

hazardc

November 25th, 2013 at 12:35 AM ^

I believe in DG. 

 

Hope his talent isn't stifled through the rest of his career by inteptitude in coaching, protection, and playcalling.  Our skill players in general are getting a bum wrap.  Hard to blame the kids in the trenches when they are being thrown to the wolves fresh out of HS.

 

 

Trim off the fat, and let's get this kis into a game that matters before his college years are over. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Tater

November 25th, 2013 at 12:45 AM ^

OK; how about an open letter to Devin, even if he'll never see it.



Devin:

You already have a degree from the University of Michigan; your work ethic and degree should make you successful after foodball.  Keep your head up and tell your critics to kiss your ass.  

GoBlueSimon

November 25th, 2013 at 8:43 AM ^

I'm down for this.  When Devin Gardner is healthy he's a heck of a QB.  It's unfortunate for him this season that the O-line has fallen apart.  He showed a lot of grit on Saturday.  If it weren't for him, Michigan wouldn't have even been in the field position they were when he fumbled the ball.  I've enjoyed watching him play.

ryanlove12

November 25th, 2013 at 11:25 AM ^

We are completely eating him. He is really good. He showed that last year with an almost competent line. Johnny football would look like garbage in this offense.